Garden Care Guide

Puka Care

Meryta denhamii

A houseplant native to New Caledonia that creates a tropical atmosphere with its giant, glossy, paddle-shaped leaves. It likes spots with bright light but no scorching direct sun, and a well-drained, rich potting soil. It has no tolerance for frost.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 5 °C / 41 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Cut back greatly; water when the soil has dried 5-7 cm deep (about 0.5 L every 2-3 weeks), using water that has been left to stand.
  • Pruning: Cut only completely dried-out lower leaves.
  • General care: To increase humidity, mist the leaves with water. Be sure to keep it away from radiators and cold drafts.
  • Pests & diseases: Because of the dry air, check the undersides of the leaves for spider mites (Tetranychidae).
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.
February
  • Watering: Continue watering once the soil has dried 5-7 cm (about 0.5 L every 2 weeks).
  • Pruning: It does not need formative pruning and its top should not be cut. Only remove dry, broken, and diseased branches.
  • General care: Keep humidity high. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust.
  • Pests & diseases: Continue checking for spider mites and mealybugs (Pseudococcidae).
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.
March
  • Watering: As new growth begins, increase watering once the soil is dry to 3-4 cm (about 0.6 L every 10-14 days).
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • General care: It is the best time for repotting (if the roots have filled the pot).
  • Pests & diseases: Check the new shoots for aphids (Aphidoidea).
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, at half the label dose.
  • General care: Growth accelerates. Protect from direct midday sun.
  • Pests & diseases: Excess watering causes root rot, so wait for the soil to dry out.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, half the label rate.
  • Pruning: Remove the lower leaves only if they turn yellow and drop.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the undersides of the leaves and the stems for mealybugs and scale insects (Coccoidea).
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, half the label rate.
  • General care: In environments where air conditioning is running, mist with water to increase humidity.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, half the label rate.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Browning on the leaf edges can be a sign of low humidity or irregular watering.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, at half the label dose.
  • General care: Growth begins to slow.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, at a diluted dose. Stop fertilizing at the end of the month.
  • General care: Move the plant away from windows where nights may be cold.
  • Pests & diseases: Observe the plant at the change of season.
  • Frost risk: Keep the plant away from cold window areas at night.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • General care: Preparing for dormancy.
  • Frost risk: Watch for cold drafts.
November
  • Watering: Cut back greatly; water when the soil has dried 5-7 cm deep (about 0.5 L every 2-3 weeks).
  • General care: Since the radiators are running, humidifying (misting, humidity tray) is important.
  • Pests & diseases: The risk of spider mites increases.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.
December
  • Watering: Cut back greatly; water when the soil has dried 5-7 cm deep (about 0.5 L every 2-3 weeks).
  • Pruning: Cut only completely dried-out lower leaves.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Be very careful when watering against the risk of root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 5 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

Browse all plant guides